The eagerly-anticipated Star Wars movie project spearheaded by 'Game of Thrones' showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss is now officially moving forward without them. The creative duo departed the project in 2019, amidst speculation linked to the mixed reception to the final season of Game of Thrones. Benioff and Weiss revealed that their departure was due to Lucasfilm's decision not to pursue their vision of telling the origin story of the Jedi. Despite this setback, fans of the franchise can still look forward to a similar story, as Lucasfilm has announced a new 'Dawn of the Jedi' movie directed by James Mangold, set to explore the origins of the Jedi Order, which may or may not include elements from the 2012-2014 Dark Horse Comics series. Additionally, Lucasfilm is developing a sequel involving Rey post-Episode IX, a New Republic-era event from Dave Filoni, and a 'Mandalorian & Grogu' movie. The next Star Wars theatrical release is slated for May 22, 2026.

What happened to the Star Wars project led by the Game of Thrones showrunners?

David Benioff and D.B. Weiss left their Star Wars project due to creative differences with Lucasfilm, specifically regarding their concept for a film about the origins of the Jedi. However, the concept seems to live on in a different form, with a new movie now led by director James Mangold.

In the realm of Star Wars lore, the Jedi are integral figures, pivotal to the franchise's mythos. The idea of a 'First Jedi' or the inception of the Jedi Order has been a topic of interest among fans and was previously explored in non-film media like comics and novels. The 'Dawn of the Jedi' comic series, for instance, delves into this time period in the Star Wars universe. With Lucasfilm's current development slate, it's clear that there's an effort to expand the narrative universe, exploring different timelines and characters — some familiar and some brand new.